After Saturday’s thrilling 4 all seaside jolly against Mile Oak, Peckham faced another tough opponent at home to Tooting Bec on Tuesday evening. Mary Phillip had a squad of 16 consisting of first team regulars and trialists.

With the game underway Peckham were denied a stonewall penalty with barely six minutes on the clock. A wayward pass from the Tooting keeper left his defender stretching for the ball just inside the 18 yard box. The Peckham number 7 certainly got to the ball first, the defenders outstretched foot sending him crashing to the ground. All appeals were swiftly waved away by the official and play continued. The early signs were all good for Mary Phillip’s side so it was no surprise when they did take the lead two minutes later.

Peckham’s attack down the left wing looked to have been easily broken down by the visitors but they failed to clear their lines, and the ball found the feet of Raymond Agyemang outside the area. He then took a few touches before shooting from 25 yards out. It should’ve been an easy save for the Tooting keeper but the ball zipped off the wet surface and the ball could only be parried into the net.

Peckham continued to dominate the game but just couldn’t make it count. The visitors barely tested the Menace trialist keeper, their best effort coming in stoppage time from a corner. The ball was sent high into the 6 yard box and found the feet of a Tooting player who’s close range shot rebounded off the cross bar before being cleared to safety. That was really the last real action and the first half ended with Peckham still one to the good.

For the second half, Nathan Gamester returned in between the sticks. Peckham continued where they had left off in the first half with their opponents largely second best, but occasionally threatening on the break.

The Tooting keeper continued to be the busier of the two and Peckham’s perseverance finally paid dividends in the 70th minute. Awarded a free kick some 35 yards from goal, Hassan Omar sent in a rocket towards the goal. The Tooting keeper could only parry the ball and it fell kindly to the quick thinking Jacob Kemp. Whilst his route to goal was blocked, the rebound fell to a substitute trialist who tapped it home to make it 2-0!

Last seasons Goal of the Season winner Hassan Omar almost equalled his wondrous attempt again in the 84th minute, picking the ball up just inside his own half, he then let fly from just outside the centre circle. The ball looked destined for the top right hand corner of the goal but unfortunately for him the Tooting keeper parried the ball and gathered it at the second attempt. Had it have gone in it would’ve been a cracking goal and certainly up their as another worldie, albeit in a friendly.

The clock ticked onto 90 minutes and the official promptly blew for full time, Peckham the deserved winners. It was an impressive pre-season performance from Mary Phillip’s team, with several of the trialists beginning to impress. Many seem to be fitting in well with last season’s returning players, and although this was only a friendly, then it was positive early signs for the 2024/25 season.

Our next fixture is at home this Saturday when Battersea Ironsides travel to the Menace Arena. Kick off is at 1pm, so see you then!

Peckham Town Football Club

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